Cullowhee, N.C. – Opening under the lights at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field on Labor Day weekend, kickoff times for Western Carolina's five-game 2021 home schedule were announced today. In addition to the evening kickoff at 6:00 pm for the season-opener on Sept. 4 against Eastern Kentucky, WCU's schedule includes a pair of 3:30 pm kickoffs with the final two games set for 2:00 pm starts.
 
Additional game-day promotional information and game coverage details for each of WCU's five home games will be announced later.
 
Western Carolina opens its first season under head coach Kerwin Bell by hosting EKU on Labor Day weekend. The season-opener against the Colonels has been dubbed "White Out Whitmire" with all fans encouraged to wear white to the game with the Catamounts to showcase their new white Nike uniforms. The first game is also slated to feature the return of the traditional pregame Freshmen Run for WCU's Class of 2025.
 
Both the WCU Family Weekend game against Samford on Sept. 18 and the Oct. 9 Homecoming game against Mercer are scheduled for 3:30 pm kickoffs. WCU's final two home games against chromatic rival Furman on Nov. 6 and mountain-rival ETSU in the Blue Ridge Border Battle are set for 2:00 pm in Cullowhee. The Nov. 6 game has been dubbed Heroes Day to honor and recognize military, civil servants, first-responders, and front-line workers.
 
Start times for two of WCU's first three road games have also been announced. The Catamounts and Gardner-Webb will kick off at 6:00 pm under the lights at Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs, N.C., on Saturday, Sept. 25. Also, the conference road game at Chattanooga on Saturday, Oct. 2 is scheduled for a 1:30 pm kickoff.

Season tickets for Western Carolina's 2021 home schedule are on sale now through the Catamount Athletics ticket office, located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, or by phone at (828) 227-2401. Additionally, to secure 2021 football game day parking and access to game day hospitality events, gifts to the Catamount Club must be submitted by the June 30 deadline to be eligible for these benefits. For more information on the Catamount Club and how to support student-athlete scholarships or for more information on the upcoming golf tour events, please contact their offices at (828) 227-3047.
 
2021 Western Carolina Catamount Football Schedule:
Sept. 4 – Eastern Kentucky (White Out Whitmire) – 6:00 pm
Sept. 11 – at Oklahoma – Norman, Okla. – TBA 
Sept. 18 – Samford * – (WCU Family Weekend) – 3:30 pm
Sept. 25 – at Gardner-Webb – Boiling Springs, N.C. – 6:00 pm
Oct. 2 – at Chattanooga * – Chattanooga, Tenn. – 1:30 pm
Oct. 9 – Mercer * (Homecoming, 2021) – 3:30 pm
Oct. 16 – Bye Week
Oct. 23 – at The Citadel * – Charleston, S.C. – TBA
Oct. 30 – at Wofford * – Spartanburg, S.C. – TBA
Nov. 6 – Furman * (Heroes Day) – 2:00 pm
Nov. 13 – ETSU * (Blue Ridge Border Battle) – 2:00 pm
Nov. 20 – at VMI * – Lexington, Va. – TBA
Nov. 27 – NCAA FCS Playoffs (First Round) – TBA
 
* Denotes Southern Conference game
 - Game dates and times remain subject to change
 
Keep track of everything related to Catamount football and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (FB.com/CatamountSports) and Twitter (@catamounts, @CatamountsFB).
 
Important Upcoming Dates in Catamount Athletics / Catamount Football:
Wednesday, June 30 – Catamount Club fiscal year renewal deadline
Wednesday, July 21 – The Catamount Shootout - Marion Lake Club – Marion, N.C.
Monday, July 26 – Southern Conference Football Media Day – Asheville, N.C.
Thursday, August 5 – Catamount Football student-athletes report for fall camp
Friday, August 6 – First scheduled practice of the 2021 preseason (helmet only)
Friday, August 20 – Western Carolina University Freshman Move-In Day
Monday, August 23 – First day of classes for the fall semester
Saturday, September 4 -- 2021 Catamount Football season and home-opener vs. Eastern Kentucky
Friday, September 17 – The Bob Waters Memorial – Laurel Ridge Country Club – Waynesville, N.C.